There has been widespread support for the military action in Yemen from leaders and citizens in the Kingdom.

Najran Gov. Prince Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed praised the “wise and firm decision” taken by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to help the Yemeni people. During a meeting on Thursday evening with directors of the region’s government departments, sheikhs and citizens, the governor said the action was to support the country’s legitimate government.

Asir Gov. Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz, also commended the operation led by the Kingdom. He said Arab and Islamic nations, and the entire world supported the move.

Muslim World League (MWL) Secretary General Abdullah bin Abdul Mohsin Al-Turki, said the organization, which represents Muslims across the world, supported the military operation because it would help restore the legitimate government in the country.

Senior Saudi journalist Musad Al-Zayani said the Kingdom under the leadership of King Salman had made the right decision to attack the Houthi rebels at this time.

“Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi is the lawful ruler of the country and any moves to oust him are illegal.” He said the Houthis are backed by some foreign countries for their own interests. He argued that Iran was guilty of double standards because it claimed that Syria’s leadership was lawful, while Yemen’s rightful ruler was illegal.

Naif Al-Rashid, political correspondent at a leading Arab daily based in London, said the operation would restore peace and stability in the region and the world. “Terrorism should be swept from the region at all costs,” he said.

Meanwhile, the 10-nation coalition led by the Kingdom continued the military operation for the second day on Friday pounding positions in Yemen from the air.

US Secretary of State John Kerry in a statement said that the United States commended the military action to restore the country’s legitimate government. “We are supporting it through intelligence sharing, targeting assistance and logistical support,” a White House statement said.

Pakistan reaffirmed its support for the coalition on Friday. Earlier, chairing a high-level meeting at his residence, Premier Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan would defend Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity.

The meeting also decided to send a delegation to the Kingdom to assess the situation. Shah Faisal, first secretary, foreign affairs at the Pakistan Embassy said the delegation is expected.

Britain said it supported the action but that the solution to the Yemeni crisis would have to reached at a political level. It said the Houthis had shown a disregard for political processes.

Hadi had earlier urged for military intervention in a letter: “I ask you, based on the principle of self-defense in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, and on the basis of the Charter of the Arab League and the treaty of joint Arab defense, to provide instant support by all necessary means, including military intervention to protect Yemen and its people from continuous Houthi aggression.”